SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's lacrosse team scored the first eight goals of the game and cruised to a 16-8 victory over Gannon University Wednesday evening in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division game from Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
 
The Rock scored three times in the first three minutes and eight times in the first 17 minutes to put the game out of reach early on the way to leveling their overall record at 3-3 and improving to 2-3 in PSAC West games. Gannon rallied briefly with four straight goals to make it 8-4 with 2:36 left in the first half, but SRU scored twice in the final 1:09 to lead 10-4 at the break. Gannon would get no closer than five goals in the second half on its way to 0-4 overall and 0-3 in league games.
 
Slippery Rock got points from nine different players, led by a seven-point effort from Emily Benham with six goals and one assist. Jamie DiCarlo finished with five points on two goals and three assists and Molly Buettner added a hat trick with three goals.
 
Sam Barnhart, Katie Dlugosz, Charleigh Rondeau, Rachel Mahoney and Camryn Whipple all scored one goal and Emily Mox handed out one assist to round out the scorers.
 
The Rock got their best effort of the season from freshman goalie Gillian O'Rourke, who made a career-high 15 saves to earn the victory.
 
Gannon was paced offensively by McKenna Woodworth with three goals and one assist and Alli Jacobs with three goals. Erin Renwick was credited with the loss in goal after allowing seven goals and recording five saves in the first 14:33. She was relieved by Cheyenne Jess, who made five saves and allowed nine goals the rest of the way.
 
Slippery Rock finished the game with advantages of 38-29 in total shots and 30-25 in ground balls, while Gannon posted a 15-11 edge in draw controls. The Rock were 18-of-29 on clear attempts, while the Golden Knights went 11-of-17.
 
Wednesday marked the midpoint of the shortened 2021 season for Slippery Rock, which has six regular season games left on the schedule after Edinboro opted out of the remainder of the season, canceling an April 17 date at SRU. The Rock will look for a third straight win this Saturday with a noon game on the road at Lock Haven to close out the first round of PSAC West play.
 
 

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